Awning type window structure



May 17, 1960 s. c. REYNAUD 2,936,497

AWNING TYPE wmnow STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 6, 1956 IN VENTOR.

BY w m rraxlvzr s y 7, 1960 s. c. REYNAUD 2,936,497

AWNING TYPE WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed June 6, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. 54777216] 6. Keg/774a] United States PatentO 2,936,497 AWNINGTYPE wmnow STRUCTURE Samuel Chester Reynaud,-Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.Application June 6, 1956, Serial No. 589,733 8 Claims. (Cl. 20-42) Thisinvention relates to improved awning type window structures and moreparticularly, but not exclusively, to an operating and locking mechanismfor such windows.

One important object of the invention is to provide a window structurehaving vertically swingable sashes arranged to swing about horizontallydisposed hinge pins so as to permit the sashes to be moved to variouspositions of adjustment, and to provide improved operating and lockingmeans therefor so constructed so as to facilitate the operation of suchsashes and the locking thereof in their closed positions in an improvedmanner.

This and other objects are accomplished by the practice of the instantinvention, one feature of which includes a Fig. 1 taken along the line6-6 thereof;

window structure comprising a frame having side and end members and asash swingably mounted upon the frame and adapted to hold a sheet ofglazing material. A slidable connecting bar is positioned in a recesswithin the frame and is pivotally connected to the sash through a lostmotion slotted bracket, or plate. The sash is also swingably secured tothe frame by a balance arm pivoted at one end upon the sash and pivotedat its opposite end upon the frame. The connecting bar carries acamshaped hook, or keeper rigidly mounted thereon and adaptedselectively to engage a locking pin mounted upon and projecting from thesash. Locking engagement of the pin by the keeper is accomplishedthrough an over.- travel of the connecting bar relative to the sash. Thesash is automatically positioned during closing to permit suchovertravei by means of a cam which is carried by the connecting bar andengages a pin projecting from the balance arm to raise the sash relativeto the connecting bar as the sash is swung into its closed position.

Another feature of the invention includes locking means for-a sash ofthe foregoing type, which locking means constitutes a part of a crankdrive assembly. According -to this feature of the invention an actuatingcrank, which is commonly utilized as part of a linkage to control themovement of the slidable connecting bar to vary the position of the sashin the frame, is extended in length beyond the point at which it isconnected in the linkage. The crank extension includes a shaped camsurface at its far end adapted to engage a pin carried by and projectingfrom the sash to lock the sash when it is in its closed position.

v The invention will be described in greater detail in :connection withthe accompanying drawings of which:

;Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section and partly in elevation, ofa window structure of this invention showing normally concealedstructural and operating elements thereof; 6 Fig. 2 is a sectional viewof the structure shown in Fig.

1 taken along the line 22 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the structure shown in t [Fi 1 taken alongthe line s 3 thereof;

6 Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. l takenalong the line 4-4 thereof; Fig. .5 is a sectional view of the structureshown in Fig. 1 taken along the line 5 -5 thereof;

tion of the structure shown in Fig. 1 wherein the window sash is in adifferent operating position from that illustrated in Fig. 1.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustrating the inventionthere is shown a preferred embodiment thereof including the operatingmechanism for the sash members of an awning type window and. the variousparts incident thereto, the reference character 10 designates the sidebar of a window frame (not shown in full). The window frame may beformed of channel bars or the like including side, top and end barsarranged with their ends connected together in rectangular relationship.The outer edge of the side bar channel wall 12 is bent over to form aflange 14 so that the side bars provide guide channels 16, the functionof which will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. The side barsare adapted to be rigidly secured as by screws 18 or bolts passingtherethrough to a structural member of a wall opening in a building orthe like to secure the frame rigidly in place.

The window structure includes a series of vertically slidable andswingable sashes 20 and 22 which are rectangular in cross section andmay be formed of either wood or metal moldings as desired. The instantdescription will be concerned with wood sashes although it is to beunderstood that metal sashes may be substituted therefor according toknown techniques. Glass window panels (not shown) are installed in thesashes and may be held in place conventionally'as by molding strips orglazing triangles and putty. Each of the sashes includes a weathersealing flange 24 extending along the sides thereof. The sealing flangeis provided to form a weathertight seal between the sashes and the framewhen the sashes are closed. The inner wall 26 of the side frame member10 includes an outwardly facing locking channel 28 in which is seated aresilient gasket 30 against which the sash member closes to perfect theweather-tight seal.

A connecting bar 32 is slidably mounted for vertical travel Within theguide channel 16 of the side frame mem ber 10 at each side of thewindow. The connecting bars 32 are attached as hereinafter described tothe upper corners of each of the sashes 20 and 22, and are retained inthe channels 16 by the sashes themselves. The two connecting bars 32(only one being shown) are actuatable by any desired means such as thecrank and worm drive assembly shown generally at 34. The connecting bar32 at one side of the window may be attached to the crank 66 of theassembly 34 through a link 62, while the connecting bar 32 at theopposite side of the window may be connected to the assembly 34 forsynchronous drive by any desired means such as a conventional torque barextending across the window within the bottom frame is equallyapplicable to windows including an array of one, three or more sashes.If the structure includes only one sash, it is preferably operated inthe manner hereinafter to be described with respect to the lower sash22. If it includes more than two sashes in vertical array, all thesashes except the bottom one will normally be connected and operated inan identical manner to the upper Patented May 17, 190

sash 20, and only the bottom sash will be connected and operated likethe lower sash 22.

The sashes are pivotally mounted on the connecting bar'32 by means ofbrackets 36 and 38 which may be fastened to the edges of the sashes byany convenient means such as the screws 40. Each of the bracketsincludes a tab portion 42 and 44, respectively, extending inwardlytoward the interior of the window. The tab portion 44 of the lowersashbracket 38 includes an upwardly extending eat 45 which is apertured toreceive a pivot pin 48 that projects from the connecting bar 32. Thus,the lower sash 22 is directly pivoted upon the connecting bar 32. 'Thetab portion 42 of the upper sash bracket 36, however, is different andincludes two projecting pins 52 which extend through a pair of slots 51in a link, or plate 50 pivoted upon the connecting bar 32 by a pivot pin46. Thus, the upper sash 20 has a limited freedom of movement withrespect to the connecting bar 32, and may be moved vertically withrespect thereto when it is in, or close to its fully closed position.When the upper sash 20 is swung open as shown, for example, in Fig. 8,the ends of the weather sealing flanges 24 bear against the exterioredges 'of the frame side bar to hold the slots 51 and pins 52 in theirfully extended position to prevent rattling and undesirable play of thesash.

The upper and lower sashes 20 and 22 are additionally linked directly tothe side frame member 10 by balance arms 54 and 56, respectively. Thesearms 54 and 56 are similar to each other in shape and are pivotallymounted at one end at fixed points 58 and 60 upon the side frame member.Their opposite ends are pivotally mounted at fixed points along theedges of the respective sashes such as, for example, upon one of thescrews 40 that secure the brackets to the sashes.

' It will thus be seen that the sashes are mounted so as to beresponsive to a sliding motion imparted to the connecting bar 32, i.e.,movement of the connecting bar causes the sashes to swing about theiraxes which are defined by the screws 40 that secure the ends of therespective balance arms 54 and 56. Simultaneously, the axes of thesashes swing about the fixed points 58 and 60, respectively, at whichthe balance arms are secured to the side frame member.

The connecting bar 32 at the side of the window shown in the drawings isactuated by a crank and worm mechanism generally designated 34 to whichit is connected by a link 62. The crank and worm assembly forms no partof the instant invention and may be of conventional construction. It mayinclude, for example, an operator crank 64 which turns a worm wheel (notshown) to turn the actuating crank 66. The actuating crank 66 ispivotally connected by a rivet 68 to one end of the link 62. Theconnecting bar 32 is connected to the other end of the link by a pin 70so that when the actuating crank is swung about its pivot point itimparts a generally rectilinear movement to the connecting bar. Theconnecting bar 32 at the opposite side of the window is driven asheretofore described by the crank and worm assembly 34 through anydesired coupling arrangement.

A locking pin 72 is rigidly mounted upon andprojects from the edge ofthe upper sash 20. A cam-shaped keeper, or hook 74 is rigidly attachedto the connecting bar 32 in a position to engage the locking pin 72 whenthe sash is swung into its closed position and the connecting bar ismoved upwardly. A similar locking pin 76 is provided upon the lower sash22. When the sash is closed, the lower sash locking pin 76 is engaged bya cam-shaped extended portion 78 of the actuating crank 66 to lock thelower sash in its closed position. The slots 51 in the pivoted plate 50provide for a lost motion action between the connecting bar 32 and theupper sash 20 to allow engaging and disengaging movement of the keeper74 upon the locking pin 72 after the upper sash is in its substantiallyfully cloesd position. Thecam surfaces of the keeper 74 and of theactuating crankextension 78 are shaped to urge the sashes inwardlytoward the frame members as the locking pins are engaged thereby to forma pressure seal.

The upper sash 20 is positively positioned to provide for the lockingtravel of the connecting bar 32 by means of a pin 73 mounted on thebalance arm 54, and a cam 75 formed integrally with the keeper 74, whichcam 75 engages the pin 73 when the sash 20 is in and near its fullyclosed position. The action of the cam and the pin 73 is critical in thepractice of the invention and will be explained in greater detail inconjunction with the operation of the entire window assembly.

In operation, with the relative" parts positioned as shown in Figs. 1-7,the window sashes 20 and 22 are in a fully closed position and arelocked against unauthorized opening from the outside of the building bymeans of the inter-engaging cam surfaces and locking pins heretoforedescribed. In this position the connecting bar 32 is in its fully raisedposition and the window sashes are completely closed relative to thewindow frame. It should also be noted that the pins 5-2 are fullyextended in the slots 51, i.e., the connecting bar 32 is in itsuppermost position relative to the sash 20 and the pins 52 are atthelowermost ends of the slots 51.

Should it be desired to open the window sashes they may be unlocked andopened in one continuous action by turning the operator crank 64. Theoperator crank, through the worm wheel drive, lowers the actuating crank66 thereby withdrawing the actuating crank extension 78 from engagementwith the locking pin 76 to unlock the lower sash 22. Simultaneously, theactuating crank 66, which is linked to the connecting bar 32 by the link62, moves the connecting bar downwardly to disengage the keeper 74 fromengagement with the upper sash locking pins 72 and 73. The lower sash 22is pivotally secured directly to the connecting bar 32 and starts toswing toward its open position as soon as the connecting bar starts tomove downwardly. Because of the slotted slide plate 50, however, theupper sash 20 remains in its fully closed position until the connectingbar 32, together with the keeper 74 moves downwardly sufliciently far tobring the upper edges of the slots 51 into engagement with the pins 52.This distance is sufiicient tolower the keeper 74 to disengage the uppersash locking pin 72, and to bring the curved cam surface 75 down to thepin 73 on the balance arm, thus releasing the pin 73 for forwardmovement. When the upper edges of the slots 51 reach the pins 52,downward force is transmitted from the connecting bar 32 to the uppersash 20. The upper sash 20 then swings outwardly upon further downwardmovement of the connecting bar but is held from falling suddenlyoutwardly by the cam 75 and pin 73 arrangement. The

'cam 75 is shaped so that as it is lowered with the connecting bar 32,the sash 20 is permitted to fall open more 'carn surface 77 also servesto break thesash and to initiate its opening travel. By the time the pin73 clears the cam 75, the sash 20 has advanced sufliciently to extendthe pins 52 all the way to the lower edges of the slots 51. The balanceof the sash 20 and the close spacing of the upper edge of the flange 24to the frame member 10 serve to keep the pins 52 fully extended in theslots 51 when the'sash 20 is open.

When the connecting'bar reaches its downwardmost position, the relativeparts are in the position shown in Fig. 8 and the sashes aresubstantially fully open'in an almost horizontal position. When it isdesired to close the sashes 20 and 22, the connecting bar 32 is movedupwardly by turning the operator crank in a reversedrejctton' tos'wing'the'actuatingc'rank 66 toward a vertical position. As the uppersash 20 approaches its closed position,- the pin 73 is engaged by thecam surface 75.. The upward movement of the cam 75 then forces thebalance arm 54 inwardly to raise, or to advance the sash 20 relative tothe connecting bar 32 and to bring the sash 20 into its fully closed.position before the connecting bar has completed its upward travel. Atthe moment the sash 20 reaches its fully closed position the pins 52 arefully retracted in the slots 51, i.e., the pins 52 are at the upper endsof the slots 51. Further upward travel of the connecting bar 32, aspermitted by the lost motion slots 51, completes the closing of thelower sash 22 and securely locks both sashes. The upper sash 20 islocked by the keeper 74, and the lower sash 22 is locked by theengagement of the pin 76 by the cam-shaped extension 78 of the actuator;arm 66'.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention the connectingbar 32 may be extended downwardly and another keeper 74 and cam 75 addedto lock the lower sash 22 by means exactly similar to the locking actionof the upper sash 20. .Such an arrangement requires added clearance atthe lower end of the window to enclose the travel of the extendedconnecting bar, and it is, therefore, preferred to provide locking meansfor the lower sash 22 such as those heretofore described separate fromthe connecting bar 32.

It should be noted that the lost motion between the upper sashes and theconnecting bars of windows according to the present invention is not ofthe escapement type and is not dependent upon alignment of the sasheswith the frame members. Previous lost motion arrangements in awning typewindows include escapements to prevent overtravel of the sashes withrespect to the connecting bars except when the sashes are closedsufficiently to be substantially aligned with the connecting bars. Dueto variations in manufacturing such escapement devices tend to vary inoperation, and thus to wear unevenly one with respect to another, and tobind so that the sashes do not close smoothly and evenly. In windowsaccording to the invention, on the other hand, the lost motionarrangement is completely free and independent of the angular positionof the sashes. Smooth and even opening and closing, therefore, isassured without any binding or uneven wear.

It will thus be seen that the operating mechanism herein describedprovides an awning type window structure wherein all of the operativeparts are concealed, and which is positive in operation and relativelysimply and rugged in construction.

What is claimed is:

l. -A window structure comprising a frame having side members and a sashswingably mounted with respect to said frame, a connecting bar mountedon one of said side members for longitudinal sliding travel relativethereto, a link pivoted upon said bar and slidably connected to saidsash for limited travel relative thereto, a balance arm fixedly pivotedupon said sash and upon said side member, and means responsive tomovement of said bar for actuating said balance arm to raise said sashwith respect to said bar during a portion of the travel of saidconnecting bar in its sash closing direction.

2 An awning type window comprising a frame having side members, aconnecting bar mounted on one of said side members for limited vertical,sliding movement relative thereto, a balance arm fixedly pivoted on saidone side member, a sash pivoted on said balance arm for swingingmovement relative to said frame, and means mounted on said connectingbar to cam said balance arm toward alignment with said side member whensaid sash is in a predetermined position with respect to said frame andsaid connecting bar is moved in a predetermined direction.

3. An awning type window comprising a frame, a pair of balance armspivoted upon said frame, a sash wing 6 ably mounted upon said balancearms and movable into and out of said frame, a connecting bar slidablymounted in said frame for vertical travel relative thereto, saidconnecting bar being drivingly connected to said sash selectively toswing said sash open and closed in response to said vertical travel, acam mounted upon said cone necting bar, a pin mounted upon andprojecting from one of said balance arms in position to be engaged bysaid cam when said sash is swung toward alignment with said frame, lostmotion means connecting said sash to said connecting bar so that as saidsash approaches alignment with said frame it is capable of limitedvertical movement with respect to said connecting bar, said cam beingshaped to drive said balance arm in a direction to raise said sash withrespect to said connecting bar when said connecting bar is moved in itssash closing direction.

4. A window structure including a frame having side members, aconnecting bar slidably mounted. on one. of said side members, meansselectively to slide said bar up and down along said side member, a linkpivoted upon said connecting bar, a sash slidably mounted upon said linkand swingable with respect to said frame, stop means to limit the extentof movement of said sash with respect to said link, a pin mounted uponand projectingfrom said sash, and a keeper mounted upon and projectingfrom said. connecting bar, said keeper and said pin being positioned sothat they engage one another when said sash is pivoted into said frame,said keeper engaging said pin to lock said sash in a fixed position whensaid sash is pivoted into said frame and said connecting bar is moved inone direction to the limit of its movement.

5. A window structure including a frame having side members, aconnecting bar slidably mounted on one of said side members, anactuating crank linked to said connecting bar selectively to slide saidbar up and down along said side member, a sash pivoted upon saidconnecting bar and swingable with respect to said frame, a pin mountedupon and projecting from said sash, said actuating crank including anextended portion positioned to engage said pin when said sash is in itsfully closed position in said frame.

6., Locking means for an awning window of the type including a frame, asash swingably mounted upon said frame, said sash being pivotallyatfixed upon a connecting bar slidably mounted upon said frame, anactuating crank linked to said connecting bar and adapted to move saidbar selectively up and down as said crank is turned about its pivot,said locking means comprising a pin mounted upon and projecting fromsaid sash, and a cam-shaped portion of said actuating crank, saidportion being positioned to engage said pin when said sash is in itsfully closed position in said frame.

7. An awning type window assembly comprising a frame adapted to berigidly mounted in a wall opening, upper and lower sash members adaptedto hold sheets of glazing material and swingably mounted upon saidframe, a connecting bar positioned in a recess within said frame andvertically slidable therein, said upper sash member being pivotallymounted upon said connecting bar through a lost motion device adapted topermit a predetermined limited travel of said connecting bar withrespect to said upper sash member when said upper sash member issubstantially closed in said frame, said lower sash member beingdirectly pivoted upon said connecting bar, said assembly also includingan actuating crank pivotally mounted upon said frame, said crank beinglinked to said connecting bar so that rotational movement of said crankabout its pivot produces rectilinear sliding movement of said connectingbar, a first pin rigidly mounted upon and projecting from said uppersash member, a second pin rigidly mounted upon and projecting from saidlower sash member, a keeper rigidly mounted upon said connecting bar andpositioned to engage said first pin when said upper sash member is inits fully closed position in said frame and said connecting bar is moved7 in a predetermined direction with respect to said upper sash, and acam-shaped portion of said actuating crank positioned to engage saidsecond pin when said lower sash is in its fully closed position withinsaid frame.

8. An awning type window assembly comprising a frame adapted to berigidly mounted in a wall opening, upper and lower sash members adaptedto hold sheets of glazing material and swingably mounted upon saidframe, a connecting bar positioned in a recess within said frame andvertically slidable therein, said upper sash member being pivotallymounted upon said connecting bar through a'lost motion slotted plateadapted to permit a predetermined limited movement of said connectingbar with respect to said upper sash member when said upper sash memberis in a substantially vertical position, said lower sash member beingdirectly pivoted upon said connecting bar, a balance arm pivoted at oneof its ends upon said upper sash member and pivoted at its opposite endupon said frame, said assembly also including an actuating crankpivotally mounted upon said frame, said crank being linked to saidconnecting bar so that rotational movement of said crank about its pivotproduces rectilinear sliding movement of said connecting bar, a firstpin rigidly mounted upon and projecting from said upper sash member, asecond pin rigidly mounted upon and projecting from said balance arm, athird pin rigidly mounted upon and projecting from said lower sashmembar, a keeper and a cam both'rigidly mounted upon said connectingbar, said cam being positioned upon said connecting bar to engage saidsecond pin' when said upper sash member is swung toward its fully closedposition and thereby to raise said upper sash member with respect tosaid connecting bar as said connecting bar is raised with respect tosaid frame, said'keeper being positioned to engage said first pin tolock said upper sash member after said upper sash member has been raisedwith respect to said connecting bar and as said connecting bar is raisedthrough said limited movement with respect to said upper sash member,and a cam-shaped portion of said actuating crank positioned to engagesaid third pin when said lower sash is in its fully closed positionwithin said frame.

. References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

